Steven A. Bush - May 8, 2016
Pressing On
John Newton, a slave ship captain who was apprehended by God in a violent storm, wrote years later as a pastor: "Remember, the growth of a believer is not like a mushroom, but like an oak, which increases slowly indeed but surely. Many suns, showers, and frosts, pass upon it before it comes to perfection; and in winter, when it seems dead, it is gathering strength at the root. Be humble, watchful, and diligent in the means, and endeavor to look through all, and fix your eye upon Jesus, and all shall be well." Following our coming to Christ and prior to the glorious day of Christ's return, we find ourselves smack-dab in the middle of God's reconstruction process. Once spiritual orphans sold into slavery, we were found and adopted by the King of kings. We've not only been made His own, each day is an opportunity to know Him better and to be made more like Him, from the inside out. We might think this an unattainable goal, an elusive target, a mission impossible. And yet it is the goal our Lord has set for us. Paul in Philippians 3:12 says it well for all of us: "I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me." (NIV) Why do we strive and endure and press on to take hold of Him? That's easy--because He has done everything necessary to take hold of us!